PARIS, September 4 (Itar-Tass) – A photo exhibition devoted to the centenary anniversary of Moscow’s Alexander Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts /Pushkin Museum/ opened Monday at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The display is included in the program of celebration of the museum’s jubilee, which it marks this year. It displays about a hundred pictures form archives showing the creation and development of the museum, the expansion of its collection with the works of famous painters and sculptors, as well as the various areas of activity of the museum’s staff, like art therapy
“This exhibition brings up the landmark events that have taken place in our museum as of the moment of its foundation,” the Pushkin Museum director, Dr. Irina Antonova, told Itar-Tass.
“For instance, some of the photos depict the 1981 exhibition ‘Moscow-Paris. 1900 to 1930”,” she said, recalling that the exhibition has been recognized as one of the most innovative a momentous events in the world of arts in the 20th century.
Standing in the same line was the display of Picasso’s works from the museums of different countries. It was organized in connection with the December Nights annual cycle of concerts that were initiates by the maitre of Russian pianistic art, Svyatoslav Richter.
“Every period of the museum’s history is absolutely invaluable for us,” Dr. Antonova said. “Many exhibitions that appeared at hour museum marked a pivotal point in the attitude to modern art, including the Russian ‘bleeding edge art.”
Occupying a special place in the Paris display are the photos showing the routine activities of the Pushkin Museum’s staff during World War II when a considerable part of its collection was evacuated to Novosibirsk.
Repairs and restoration of the building that sustained heavy damage during the Nazi bombing raid began at the end of 1944 and it reopened for visitors in 1946.
“Quite naturally, this is a particular chapter in the history of the museum and, on top of that, in the history of our whole country, which the outside world should be aware of,” Dr. Antonova said.
She mentioned the new horizons that the museum is opening up for itself as its staff looks into the future.
“Our plans are plentiful and our closest project is the exhibition of the outstanding French painter and architect Le Corbusier that will open September 24,” Dr. Antonova said.
Russia’s ambassador to UNESCO, Eleonora Mitrofanova congratulated Dr. Antonova on the occasion of the jubilee date. “The Pushkin Museum is an advanced center of arts that not only collects the old classical works of art from around the world but also treats the up-to-date art with much attention,” she said.
“The experience gained by the museum may prove to be extremely handy in the solution of the main task UNESCO has set for itself, namely, the maintenance of cultural heritage,” the permanent envoy said.